Louver assembly

ABSTRACT

A generally plano rectangular louvers are capable of being ganged in a stacked tiltable array to enhance light re-direction when titled to follow the solar elevation. Combinations of features and optical characteristic avoid optical artifacts and enhance efficiency of light utilization and manufacturing. Different louvers can be combined in alternative ways in such arrays.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority the USprovisional patent application of the same title that was filed on May21, 2015, having application No. 62/164,834, and is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The field of invention is light re-directing structure suitable for usewith exterior glazing to selectively enhance the penetration of exteriorlight within an interior space.

Such light directing structures are well known and rely primarily ontotal internal reflection (TIR) of solar radiation, which has thehighest angle of incidence on the glazing surfaces near noon time. Aplanar transparent member (which can either form a glazing surface or ismounted parallel to a glazing surface) can re-direct light that wouldotherwise only reach the floor closest to the glazing. High angleincident light, rather than being transmitted directly toward the floorclose to a window, is re-directed upward toward the ceiling so that itthen scatters distal from the window, resulting in a farther penetrationof natural light into the interior rooms of the structure.

It should be readily appreciated that controlling the re-directed angleallows for greater penetration of re-directed light, as the lightincident at high angle near noon time, would be directed toward theceiling rather than the floor, where it would be scattered to providenatural diffuse light from above, rather than glare from a polished orspecular floor surface or absorbed by the floor (where it would notcontribute to the illumination of work surfaces), and hence permit theminimization of the use of artificial lighting, as well as increase theproductivity and well being of the additional inhabitants that enjoynatural light

However, such light re-directing structures while generally effectivehave limitation and trade-offs between desirable benefits andundesirable effects. Further, the utility of current light redirectingstructure are limited to particular daylight hours.

Hence, it is a general objective of the invention to increase theefficiency of light re-direction while simultaneously greatly reducingthe undesirable effects that may have been unappreciated or poorlyunderstood in the prior art.

The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing alouver, comprising a generally rectangular planar support member having,an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, anelongated front side on a side orthogonal to the plane of the uppersurface, and an elongated back side opposed to and parallel with thefront side, a right side on another side that is orthogonal to both theupper surface and the front side, and a left side opposite the frontside that is parallel to the right side, a light redirecting structurethat is at least one of attached to and disposed within the planarsupport member, the light redirecting structure comprising a pluralityof spaced apart light reflective surfaces that terminate at corners,wherein the light reflecting surface thereof extend across the planarsupport member from the front side to the back side in which each lightreflective surface faces the front or back side, wherein the lightreflective surface is operative to increase the width of a main specularre-directed beam of incident light by at least about ±1°, but morepreferably at least about ±2° and most preferably by at least about ±4°.

A second aspect of the invention is characterized by the louver whereinthe light reflective surfaces have a portion that is parallel to theopposing surface of each optical element and a portion that deviates inangle by up to at least about 2°.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by the louver wherein aportion of the reflective surfaces are tilted with respect to the frontand back edge to provide the increase in width of a main specularreflected beam of incident light by at least about ±4°.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized in by the louverwherein the spaced apart light reflective surfaces are formed by aseries of stacked transparent optical elements.

In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing alouver, comprising a generally rectangular planar support member having;an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, anelongated front side on a side orthogonal to the plane of the uppersurface, and an elongated back side opposed to and parallel with thefront side, a right side on another side that is orthogonal to both theupper surface and the front side, and a left side opposite the frontside that is parallel to the right side, a light redirecting structurethat is at least one of attached to and disposed within the planarsupport member, the light redirecting structure comprising a pluralityof spaced apart light reflective surfaces that terminate at corners,wherein the light reflecting surface thereof extend across the planarsupport member from the front side to the back side in which each lightreflective surface faces the front or back side, wherein the lightreflective surfaces is operative to increase the width of a mainspecular reflected beam of incident light by at least about ±4°.

A second aspect of the invention is characterized by the louver whereinthe light reflective surfaces have a portion that is parallel to theopposing surface of each optical element and a portion that deviates inangle by up to at least about 2°.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein a portion of the reflective surfaces are tilted with respect tothe front and back edge to provide the increase in width of a mainspecular reflected beam of incident light by at least about ±4°.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the spaced apart light reflective surfaces are formed by aseries of stacked transparent optical elements.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the spaced apart light reflective surfaces have a portion have aplanar portion and a non-planar portion.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the spaced apart light reflective surfaces have a diffusingportion.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the non-planar portion has a sinusoidal variation in one of theslope, height and wavelength.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the sinusoidal variation in one of the slope, height andwavelength is at least partially random.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverfurther comprising a pattern of light attenuating elements disposed onone of the upper surface and the lower surface.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the light attenuating elements are disposed on one of the uppersurface and the lower surface to provide an internal attenuation ofincident light of about 10% to about 40%.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the light attenuating elements are round dots disposed incolumnar arrays with an offset of adjacent columns.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the round dots have a diameter of between about 0.5 to 3 mm.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the light attenuating elements have a grey appearance.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverwherein the light attenuating elements are opaque and non-scattering.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any such louverfurther comprising a pattern light diffusing elements disposed on one ofthe upper surface and the lower surface.

Another aspect of the invention is a light re-directing louver assemblycomprising a plurality of louvers that are operatively coupled to betilted, each louver comprising a generally rectangular planar supportmember having; an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the uppersurface, an elongated front side on a side orthogonal to the plane ofthe upper surface, and an elongated back side opposed to and parallelwith the front side, a right side on another side that is orthogonal toboth the upper surface and the front side, and a left side opposite thefront side that is parallel to the right side, a light redirectingstructure that is at least one of attached to and disposed within theplanar support member, the light redirecting structure comprising aplurality of spaced apart light reflective surfaces that terminate atcorners, wherein the light reflecting surface thereof extend across theplanar support member from the front side to the back side in which eachlight reflective surface faces the front or back side, wherein the lightreflective surfaces are operative to increase the width of a mainspecular re-directed beam of incident light by at least an angulardeviation that arise between adjacent louvers in the louver assembly.

The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional elevation view of the desired effect oflight re-directing structures toward noon time when light is incident athigh angles on vertical glazing surfaces, whereas FIG. 1B is a similarelevation view showing the actual effect of the configuration of FIG. 1Aearlier in the morning or later in the day.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of a light redirecting structurethat deploys an assembly of optical elements having planar orthogonalsurfaces.

FIG. 3A-D are cross-sectional elevations of a ganged louver assembliesformed from light redirecting structure, in which FIG. 3A corresponds tothe orientation in the lighting conditions of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 3Bcorresponds to lighting conditions of FIG. 1B, and in which FIG. 3C isan optional orientation for the louvers in the assembly. FIG. 3D is aperspective view of an embodiment of the invention in the form of alouver panel of the assembly.

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing an example of the projected pattern oflouvers on a interior wall

FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of a portion of alouver assembly modeled in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 with ray tracings, and FIG.5B shows the ray tracings in FIG. 5A in a plan view.

FIG. 6 is a ray tracing diagram corresponding to FIG. 5A showingpotential deviation from a single louver.

FIG. 7 is a ray tracing diagram corresponding to FIG. 5A showingpotential deviation from light incident on the entire louver assembly.

FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of a first embodiment of the invention, whereasFIG. 8B similarly illustrates a related embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14A-C illustrate steps in a first process of forming an opticalelement in a louver assembly having the attributes of the embodiment ofFIG. 11

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate another process of forming an opticalelement in a louver assembly having the attributes of the embodiment ofFIG. 11

FIG. 16A-C illustrate alternative embodiments for forming variousembodiment by a molding process that produces a spacer member.

FIG. 17A-C illustrate alternative embodiments for forming variousembodiment by a molding process that produces a spacer member on adifferent surface.

FIG. 18A-C illustrate alternative embodiments for forming variousembodiment by a molding process in which the spacer element is a diffuseblackening element coated on the upper surface.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional elevation of a portion of a preferredembodiment of ganged louver assembly formed from light redirectingstructure.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention inwhich a light re-directing film is adhered to glazing with an adhesiveand the light re-directing film has an exterior pattern of lightabsorbing and or diffusing members.

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional elevation view of the light re-directingfilm of FIG. 20 after application to the glazing, whereas FIG. 21B is arear elevation of the glazing showing the pattern of absorbing and/ordiffusing members.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a planar sheet shaped substrate used forforming optical elements in various embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional elevation of an embodiment of theinvention, whereas FIG. 23B is cross-sectional elevation of analternative related embodiment of the invention fabricated using thesheet shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows a ray tracing of FIG. 23B in a top plan view.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are alternative embodiments of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 26A is an alternative embodiment to FIGS. 21A, 25A and 25B, whereasFIGS. 26B and C are elevation views of representative optical elementarrays shown in section view in FIGS. 21A, 25A, 25B and 26A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 26C, wherein like reference numerals referto like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein anew and improved Louvered Light Re-Directing Structure, generallydenominated 1000 herein.

In accordance with the present invention the Louvered Light Re-DirectingStructure 1000 comprises a plurality of elongated narrow and thin slatsor louvers 600 (see perspective view in FIG. 3D) which individually orcollectively have specific constructions described in details below.Other aspects of the invention include deploying slats 600 withdifferent constructions, and that are separately adjustable.

A slat or individual louver 600 should be understood to be a generallyrectangular planar support member having an upper surface and a lowersurface opposite the upper surface, an elongated front edge on a sideorthogonal to the plane of the upper surface, and an elongated back edgeopposed to and parallel with the front edge, a right side on anotherside that is orthogonal to both the upper surface and the front edge,and a left side opposite the front side that is parallel to the frontside, and a light redirecting structure either attached to or disposedwithin the planar support member. The light re-directing structure wouldcomprise a plurality of spaced apart light reflective surfaces 110 aand/or 110 a′ that terminate at corners, wherein the light reflectingsurface thereof extend across the planar support member from the frontedge to the back edge; so that each reflective surface is orthogonal tothe planes of the left and right side sides of the planar supportmember.

In some preferred embodiments described more fully below, the lightreflective surfaces preferably have a periodic pitch of more than about0.5 mm.

In other embodiments of the light re-directing structure 1000, differentslat or louvers 600 are combined in a stack, in which the louvers aretiltable, but each louver need not have the same light redirectingproperties as the other louvers in the structure.

FIG. 1A illustrates the preferred use of a day light re-directingstructure or louver array 1000 deployed to direct at least some portionof light rays 10 incident at high angles from the sun 2 on glazing 15away from the path 11, which it would otherwise take in a room towardthe floor 5, and re-direct it back upward towards the ceiling 20 as ray12. Thus, incident sunlight is re-directed to the ceiling 20, as ray 12,where it will be scattered off the ceiling 20, providing occupant 2,whom is farther from a window glazing 15 than occupant 1, with diffusednatural light 13. In FIG. 1B, the sun 2 is at a slightly lowerelevation, some rays 10′ would also be re-directed, as rays 12′, thoughdeeper in the room, where it is scattered off the sealing as diffusednatural light 13′.

Hence, conventional light re-directing film applied on the entire windowsurface would not be able to provide the benefit of FIG. 1A, and alsoalleviate the annoying direct light in FIG. 1B. Further, althoughdiffuse coating on a side of the convention light directing film canreduce glare, it also limits see through visibility. Hence, in useswhere visibility is critical, the application of convention lightre-directing films would be limited to the clerestory portion of thewindow 15 a and the lower portion 15 b of the window or glazing 15 wouldbe covered with conventional shades or blinds.

FIG. 3A-D generally illustrates the various embodiments of the invention1000, as a ganged assembly of slats 600 in which the slat are tiltable.

In FIG. 3C, the light re-directing optical structure 1000, is anassembly of louver or slat elements 600 (as shown in FIG. 3D amongothers), with each slat or louver element 600 being an independent lightre-directing optical structure, which in at least a portion of theassembly are capable of rotation via a coupling or cable 620 toaccommodate the variation in sun angle over the day. Thus, the tiltingof the louvers or slat 600 permits a more efficient re-direction ofincident sunlight, which scatters off the ceiling as, rays 13, over alarger portion of the day.

Each louver or slat 600 is a transparent rigid planar support surface ina rectangular shape having opposing faces, and a set of orthogonal frontand rear faces and left and right side edges, in which the faces arelonger than the edges.

The louvers 600 are preferably constructed of generally elongatedoptical elements 110 that are assembled by a stacking process, and arepreferably held together between front and rear surface 120′ and 120respectively, as shown in FIG. 3D, with FIG. 2 showing an enlargedportion of a louver or slat 600 in which faces 120′ and 120 arehorizontally disposed. Adhesive layer 130 and 130′ may be deployed toattach the plurality of optical elements 110 to the respective front andrear surfaces 120′ and 120.

FIG. 2 also illustrates that the optical elements 110 may deploy a lightabsorbing coating or covering 110 c on surface 110 a′ of each opticalelement 110. The light absorbing layer precludes the re-direction oflight that impinges on layer 120′ from below the horizon, as may occurat night from headlamps and street lighting when device 1000 is used inbuilding floors above street level. Such discrete light sources wouldproduce annoying light re-directed downward from the louver assembly, aswell as preclude a room from staying dark when this is desired. Theabsorbing surface 110 c also provides the benefit that light incident athigh azimuthal angles, as shown in FIG. 5B, rather than undergoing adouble reflection, off both surface 110 a′ and 110 a, and heading towardthe floor would be absorbed at layer 110 c.

As shown by the photograph in FIG. 4, an actual louvered device 1000with slats or louvers 600 optimized for light re-direction can project adiscrete image (401) of each slat 600 on both vertical (floor andceiling) and horizontal walls. It would be more desirable if the slatassembly 1000 did not produce discrete images of each slat 600, but moreuniformly redirected light into the structure. These strong discreteprojected images are now understood to be from a combination of tilterrors, which throws light out of one area, leaving a dark spot (403)while placing the light over a neighbor's light. Thus some areas (402)have double or triple the light intensity of a single neighboring slat.The waviness along the light (bottom left to upper right) is caused bywavy log like elongated optical elements 110.

It has now been discovered that the discrete images of each slat arecaused by multiple factors. One such cause is the physical gap betweeneach pair of slats, which is tilt dependent. Even if the slat 600 aretilted by the identical angle in the assembly 1000, slight defects instructure produce noticeable effects, which are accentuated by deviationin tilt. Deviations from identical tilt can occur from slack orhysteresis in the mechanical drive system 620, and possibly wear ofmechanical components, as well as assembly and component tolerances.

Small deviations greatly accentuate the image of the gaps, in that somebright areas will overlap, doubling the intensity (402), whileintervening areas (403) will be darker. Thermal or other distortion ofeach slat 600 or slight deviations in mounting can also occur andcontribute to the projection of slat image on the ceiling, walls orfloor.

Accordingly, the various embodiment of the invention disclosed below areintended to produce and assemble macro-optical elements 110 into slats600 with intervening TIR surfaces in a manner where the angulardistribution of reflected light has a pre-determined distribution withrespect to the slat dimensions. The distribution is intended toeliminate the projection of discrete slat images. The most preferredembodiments are also intended to eliminate the projection of slat imageswithout unduly degrading the efficiency of light reflection orintroducing glare, that is, bright spots, bars, beams, rings or haloswhen the slat area is viewed directly.

It is also desirable to achieve the pre-determined angular distributionof light from each slat without unduly degrading see through visibility.In other words, a room occupant, when looking at the window, should nothave a distorted or defocused view of the exterior, nor should they seeannoying bright regions, or glare.

Since macro optical elements 110, with width greater than about 0.5 mm,are needed to minimize glare by minimizing diffraction, there is now aneed to spread light evenly across the interior ceiling, sincere-directed sun light is highly collimated. The various embodiments ofthe invention and methods of fabricating such embodiment provide aviable construction for making the re-directed light sufficiently lesscollimated to account for construction and use deviations, whilepreferably maintaining a see-through function.

Several embodiments deploy preferred embodiment of the stacked opticalelements 110, while other deploy specific constructions of the slats600.

Other embodiments of the invention are directed to method of fabricatingsuch optical elements 110 and/or slats 600.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates the ray tracings of a rectangular opticalelement 110 in the louver slat 600. For simplicity, the rays are tracedonly through the portion of the slat 600 having TIR at surface 110 a′.Each optical element 110 has a width of about 2 mm and a height of about1 mm for a 2:1 aspect ratio. Light incident at 42° from normal isrefracted to 27° inside the optical element, and after undergoing TIR onsurface 110 a exits rear surface 110 b′ at 42°. It has been discoveredthat this element size and aspect ratio is optimal for medium angle sun,in which the azimuthal angle is high in the morning and afternoon andthe elevation angle, α, is between about 30 to 65°.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the sun elevation decreases,there is an increase in azimuthal angle (ψ) of incidence on glazingsurface 15 and optical element 110, which has reflective upper and lowersurface 110 a and 110 a′. Hence, the light incident on any opticalstructure used for light re-direction will have a greater path length asshown in the plan view in FIG. 5B, in which ray segment 10 a within theoptical structure is longer as the azimuthal angle increases. Thus, someof these rays as shown in elevation view in FIG. 5A, entering theoptical element 110 as ray 10, will undergo a first reflection at thelower surface 110 a′, and then be directed upward and in the roomdirection and exits as ray 12. However, others rays will actuallyundergo 2 reflections, the second on the upper reflective surface 110 a,and continue to the exit face of the optical element 110 but directeddownward. Thus, optical re-directing structure will lose efficiencyduring the day as the suns position changes unless the angle of slatassembly 600 is fixed. As shown in plan view in FIG. 5B, the highazimuthal angle increase the path length 10 a in element 110, so thatthe shorter width of TIR surface 110 a′ minimizes the amount of lightthat is lost or not utilized from double reflections, which would bedirected to the floor and not the room interior. In such cases, it isactually preferred that light that would undergo a second reflection isabsorbed by an optional layer 110 c deposited on what would otherwise bea TIR surface 110 a.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the projection geometry of the louvers 600 onthe ceiling 20 or room 40 to explain the theory of operation of thevarious embodiments now illustrated in FIG. 8-24. Room 40 is 10 feethigh and 30 feet deep. Louver assembly 1000 is 2 feet high and starts 1foot from the ceiling 20.

It has been observed that depending on the mounting and rotary means forthe slats 600, the lateral displacement of the slats 600 can vary by asmuch as 2 mm for a 50 mm (2 inch) high slat. Hence, the tilt anglebetween these slat is about tan (2/50) or about 2 degrees. A ±2°deviation in orientation from each slat will result in a 4° deviation inthe projected image of each slat. It is preferred that each slatdiffuses light beyond the pure collimated image by at least the amountof deviation from all sources. To spread the light beyond this rangerequires some fraction of the TIR surface to deliberately deviate over asimilar range, for this 4 degree deviation, some portion of the TIRsurface should have 2 degrees of slope deviation in the TIR reflectionsurface from the nominal orientation.

FIG. 6 illustrate the bundle rays 12 as multiple parallel lines thatexit the center of the surface of each slat 600 in an array thatilluminate the ceiling 20 of room 40. Ray 12* results from a 2 degreedeviation in tilt from the center of the center slat in the array. Thearray of slats spread light over the ceiling in region 1241′.

FIG. 7 compares the ray 12′ from single slat 600 adjacent the deviantslat that produces rays 12*. The tilt error of 2 degrees in a slat,represented by ray 12*, has moved the center of that beam from position1241 to 1241*, approximately 57 inches on the ceiling 20, at thisre-direction angle. This 57 inch movement corresponds to observations ofvariance that arise from assembly deviations as well as slat deviationsand thermal distortion.

If a given slat 600 is not parallel to the adjacent neighboring slatwithin 2 degrees, the re-direction error will be twice that amount, or 4degrees. If the light from each slat 600 can be spread over the same 4degrees of deviation then slat images will overlap, removing the gapsbetween them and the patterns these deviations cause. However, it shouldbe noted that it is possible for two slats next to each other to have arotational deviation in opposite directions, which increase the raydeviation to about 8 degrees still providing non-uniform illumination onthe ceiling, which the preferred embodiments are intended to minimize.According, the following means for overcoming this angular deviation isnot limited to solutions for 2° deviation, as it will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that teachings of the invention can beapplied to other deviations that arise between adjacent or more distalslats 600 in a louver assembly 1000.

FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of a first embodiment of the invention. Opticalelement 110 has surface 110 b covered by a diffusing rear surface 801.The diffusing surface 801 would spread each ray that undergoes TIR inoptical element 110 by about 2 degrees in each direction from thecentral beam, and more preferably 4 degrees. However, a uniform diffusecoating would degrade see through visibility of the louver assembly1000. A more preferred variation on this embossment is illustrated inFIG. 8B in which the diffuse coating 801′ is applied as a pattern. Sincethe preferred optical elements 110 have a height of about 1 mm in thevertical direction, it would be more preferable if each part of thepattern formed by elements 801′ is less than this height, and morepreferably about a ¼ to a third the element height, that is about 0.25to 0.33 mm. Such a pattern would not destroy see through visibility. Thearea of the patterned elements 801′ can be reduced by increasing thescattering power, that is have a more diffusing coating in the element801 that cover the entire rear surface of the slat 600. The total areaof the patterned elements is perhaps about 1 to 5% of the coveredglazing surface or surface of vertical louvers 600, which preferablyhave dimensions of circa 2 to 7 mm, and more preferably 5 mm×5 mm, witha spacing of preferably about 10 to 30 mm, but more preferably about 23mm.

In another embodiment of the invention, the diffuse dots/squares, linesand like shown in FIGS. 8B, 20, 21 and 21B are alternativelynon-diffuse, opaque regions that are optionally neutral or colored toprovide a pattern that aids in masking the lone and isolated opticaldefects that would otherwise standout as cosmetic imperfections. Theprovisional of such opaque pattern regions in a repeating ornon-repeating pattern of dots, squares or any geometric array at a lowcoverage percentage of circa 0.1 to 10%, and more preferably 1 to 5%,decreases the perception of such defects to the human eye. Hence, itwould also minimize the appearance of seams that might be required inlarge panels or slat arrays that are not practical to make in a seamlessfabrication.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of optical elements 110in a slat 600 with ray tracings to illustrate the operation of anotherembodiment of the invention. A portion 901 of the TIR surface 110 a′ isnot planar and orthogonal to surface 110 b and 110 b′, but rather hasadjacent titled facets 902 separated by vertical steps 903. The facets902 increase in tilt angle away from the plane of surface 110 a. Themaximum tilt angle is preferably about 2° from planar portion 095, whichis parallel to surface 110 a.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another embodiment of the invention in whicha portion 1001 of the TIR surface 110 a′ is not planar and orthogonal tosurface 110 b and 110 b′, but rather gradually increases in curvature asit approaches surface 110 b′, in essence forming a curved bottom nearthe corner of each optical element 110.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another more preferred embodiment of theinvention in which the TIR surface 110 a is non-planar but has agradually sinusoidal variation in height, to provide an equivalentvariation in slope. The variation need not be perfectly sinusoidal, butis preferably gradual to provide at least a maximum slope variation on±2°. A 2 degree slope means that a line tangent to a portion of the TIRsurface deviates from planar shape of the surface by 2 degrees. Hence ina preferred embodiment of the invention each slat 600 will re-directincident light that is directed downward and upward as a maintransmitted beam, while also spreading some light about the maintransmitted or re-directed beam 12 by at least about ±1° from the angleof incidence, but even more preferably at least about ±2° from the angleof incidence, and most preferably at least about ±4° from the angle ofincidence. Higher spreading of the light from the main beam 12 is alsouseful in projecting light deeper into a room.

The desired circa 1-2 degree slope deviation is preferably provided by agenerally sinusoidal oscillation in the surface shape. The tangents atthe peaks and valleys of the surface will have a zero slope, beingparallel to the macro-surfaces 110 a′ as well as the opposing uppersurface 110 a of each optical element 110. The surface tangents to theportions between the peaks and valleys will gradually vary in slopebetween zero and about 2 degrees.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation with ray tracings toillustrate the operation of another more preferred embodiment of theinvention in which surface 110 a has a light absorbing coating 110 c andTIR surface 110 a is non-planar but has this preferred generallysinusoidal variation in slope. When the sinusoidal variation extendsentirely across surface 110 a′, the variation can be two-dimensional,that is each adjacent cross-section have the same shape, or 3dimensional as well.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation to illustrate anotherembodiment of the invention in which only portion 1301 of TIR surface110 a is non-planar but has a generally sinusoidal variation in slope,with a central portion 1302 being planar and parallel to surface 110 a.Such a general sinusoidal variation in slope is meant to embrace arandomly sinusoidal variation in slopes of between 0 and ±2° andoptionally also that the period or wavelength is somewhat random inlength.

FIGS. 14A-C and 15A-B illustrate steps in alternative processes offorming an optical element 110 in a louver or slat 600 having the lightre-directing attributes of the embodiment of FIG. 11-13.

In the step shown in FIG. 14 a transparent fluid, which is preferably aUV curable fluid, 1401 is printed on the surface of the sheet material1400 used to form elongated optical elements 110. The printing is in apredetermined pattern of a desired spacing and height, which optionallymay include a random spacing. The printed coating when cured preferablyhas an identical refractive index to the underlying generally planaroptical substrate material 1400. FIG. 14B shows the fluid 1401 cured toa solid 1402 after a second step of covering with a second fluid coating1403, which is also preferably curable with UV light to form a solidcoating 1404 having an identical refractive index to the underlyingoptical substrate material 1400.

The viscosity and thickness of layer 1403 will determine the level ofshape conformity to the first solid pattern 1402. When layer 1403 isthin relative to the thickness of the solid coating 1402 the degree ofwetting from the relative surface tension will provide a wavy sinusoidalvariation in shape to provide the desired surface 110 a′ of FIGS. 11-13and 23A-B. The patterns and thickness of the solid pattern 1403 isselected to provide the wave spacing and height, and hence the degree ofsurface slope on the solid layer 1404. The printed and coating in thisprocess can be continuous across the entirety of the sheet 1400, orpatterned as shown in FIG. 22 to provide the limited portions 1301 ofsurface shape modulation. This embodiment can provide a 2-dimensionalvariation in slope when the solid pattern is lines that extend on thelong direction of each optical element 110, or 3-dimensions when thepattern is discrete circles, squares, rectangles, polygons, dashed andcontinuous lines that optionally form a 2-dimensional array on thesurface of sheet 1400.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate another process of forming an opticalelement 110 in a louver assembly having the attributes of the embodimentof FIGS. 11-13 and 23A-B in which the substrate 1400 is coated with acurable fluid 1501 having dispersed filler particles 1502 that arecomparable in size to the thickness of the fluid to form a wavy surfacepattern. The pattern will not be perfectly periodic, however, as long asthe mean repeat distance is much smaller than the width of the TIRsurface and the surface slope is between about 2-4°, the anticipatedoptical benefits should also be achieved. The filler particles 1502 arepreferably transparent and non-scattering internally, as well as at theinterface with the cured or solid coating, having the same index ofrefraction. This embodiment has the advantage that a single layer offluid, such as semi-gloss paint or finish can be applied to the sheet1400. The aforementioned process can provide regions of the wavy surfacepattern that are continuous across the entirety of the sheet 1400, orpatterned as shown in FIG. 22 to provide the limited portions 1301 ofsurface shape modulation. The surface variation will be 3-dimensional inthis embodiment. It should be noted that the wavy surface patternregions that are angle with respect to the sheet 1400 edges can becontinuous or discontinuous, be applied in other or multiples directionsas well as have other fill factors.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 14A-C and 15A-B, the opposite side of thesheet 1400 can be coated with a black or absorbing coating that formslayers 110 c in each optical element. In either case, the sheet 1400 isthen cut into long optical elements 110, as described with respect toFIG. 22.

FIG. 16A-C illustrates alternative embodiments of the optical elements110 with various partially angulated TIR surfaces 110 a′ formed onoptical element 110 by a molding process. Spacers 1601 and 1601 aremolded on surface 110 a at the same time as the deviation from planarityin surface 110 a′. More specifically, the optical element 110 in FIG.16A has the generally sinusoidal variation in surface slope of FIG.11-13. The optical elements 110 in FIG. 16B, has the faceted portions901 of FIG. 9, and the optical elements 110 has the curved portion 1001of FIG. 10. Spacers 1601 and 1602 preclude the optical elements surface110 a and 110 a′ from making contact during stacking and attachment toouter covers 120 and 120′ of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 17A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the optical elements110 with spacers 1601 and 1601′ are molded on surface 110 a′, oppositeplanar surface 110 a. FIG. 17B-C illustrates alternative embodiments inwhich the optical elements 110 have various partially angulated TIRsurfaces 110 a′ formed on optical elements 110 by a molding process.Spacers 1601 and 1601 are molded on surface 110 a′ along with thevariation in shape to spread light that under goes TIR on surface 110a′. These configurations facilitate the blackening of the upper oropposing surface 110 a from the TIR surface 110 a′, to provides thelight absorbing upper surface 110 c, as shown in FIG. 17C. The surface110 a that is intended to receive the black absorbing layer 110 c isinitially planar thus easier to uniformly coat at the same time, such asby spray, roller or curtain coating and the like processes. Although theelements 110 are molded separately the coating of layer 110 c can occurwhile they are attached to a common mold runner or ganged together on acommon support, such as a vacuum chuck from below.

FIG. 18A-C illustrate alternative embodiment of a molding process inwhich the spacer element 100 c is a diffuse blackening element coated onthe upper surface 110 a. The blackening coating or paint can havedispersed colorant, such as carbon black, as well as other pigment orfillers that create uneven rough surface on curing or drying.

FIG. 19 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a ganged louveredstructure in which the spreading of light is accomplished by mountingeach louver 600 to have an approximately 1° relative tilt to theadjacent louver 600′. Accordingly, louver 600″ is mounted withapproximately 2° relative tilt with respect to louver 600, and so onalong the louvered light re-directing structure 1000. This embodimentcan deploy any of the optical elements 110 described with respect to theother embodiments of the slats 600. The louvers 600 can optionallydeploy the light diffusing or partially angulated TIR surface disclosedin other embodiments. This example only illustrates 1° relative tilts,but is not limited to this increment.

More particularly, in the context of a light re-directing louverassembly comprising a plurality of louvers that are operatively coupledto be tilted, as in a ganged assembly for disposing the louver arrayopposite glazing each louver is preferably operative to provide apredetermined angular deviation of a main specular re-directed beam ofincident light from other louvers in the array, and more preferably fromthe immediately adjacent louver.

In low diffraction, highly collimated optical assemblies of selectembodiments of the instant invention, it is desirable to providedaylight across the ceiling extent and not just one tight location. Whenwe lessen diffraction with macro optics, that is spacing apart theinternal reflective surfaces or TIR surface by at least about 0.5 mm, wemake the re-directed light beam tightly directional, which is improvedby various embodiments of the invention.

A predetermined deviation by tilt deviation of optical design, forexample, helps to meld together, or smoothes, the light distribution ona ceiling that looks choppy from small angular errors in louvermanufacturing that make the ceiling light look non-uniform. In a morepreferred aspect it can also spread the light across the extent of theinterior ceiling to fill the room with daylight from front to back. Whenspreading the light across the entire depth of the room ceiling, it isalso desirable that each louver spreads the light a sufficient amount toavoid the choppy appearance on the ceiling and overlap with the lightdistribution of the adjacent louver.

Hence, it is additionally preferred that light reflective surfaces ofeach louver are operative to increase the width of the main specularre-directed beam of incident light by at least any predetermined angulardeviation of the main re-directed beam associated with each adjacentlouver.

It should be appreciated that a preferred degree of increase in thewidth of the main specular re-directed beam of incident light by apredetermined angular deviation is dependent on room dimensions, andthat such deviation should increase in proportion to the depth of theroom orthogonal to the glazing surface.

In the case of a louver assembly that is ˜2 feet high and placed perhaps1 foot below a 10 foot ceiling height. The angular deviation, which canbe accomplished by the tilt of the louver, to re-direct the light to thecenter of the ceiling in a 20 feet deep room, is 12 degrees. If thelowest louver is operative to provide the deepest penetration, which is20 feet, the re-direction angle is 9 degrees. If we make the top louverre-direct a symmetric +3 degrees, we then cover most of the ceiling.Here the light is re-directed within a range of 9 degrees to 15 degrees.

Alternatively, one could deploy the top louver to re-direct the mainbeam at 18 degrees to provide a re-direction range 9 to 18 degrees,which is plus and minus 4.5 degrees, which would require only a +/−2.25degree deviation in slope of the TIR surfaces within or between theupper and lower louver in the array.

When a room is 30 feet deep, the preferred deviation of the mainspecular re-directed beam of incident light is 6 degrees for the toplouver and between about 11 degrees or 12 degrees for the bottomlouvers, which is a range of 6 degrees, which is +/−3 degrees, and acorresponding slope range of +/−1.5 degrees for the reflective or TIRsurfaces in the louvers.

However, to the extent the louver assembly is taller; the deviation ofthe main specular re-directed beam of incident light from the top andbottom louver can be reduced to cover the depth of the room. For examplenow with a 20 feet deep room and a louver assembly that is 3 feet tall,instead of 2 feet tall. The preferred re-direction angle of the toplouver to the ceiling center is 14 degrees. The preferred re-directionangle of the bottom louver angle to the back of the ceiling is 11degrees.

It is generally preferred to provide a light re-directing louverassembly comprising a plurality of louvers that are operatively coupledto be tilted, each louver comprising a generally rectangular planarsupport member having, an upper surface and a lower surface opposite theupper surface, an elongated front side on a side orthogonal to the planeof the upper surface, and an elongated back side opposed to and parallelwith the front side, a right side on another side that is orthogonal toboth the upper surface and the front side, and a left side opposite thefront side that is parallel to the right side, a light redirectingstructure that is at least one of attached to and disposed within theplanar support member, the light redirecting structure comprising aplurality of spaced apart light reflective surfaces that terminate atcorners, wherein the light reflecting surface thereof extend across theplanar support member from the front side to the back side in which eachlight reflective surface faces the front or back side, wherein eachlouver is operative to provide a predetermined angular deviation of amain specular re-directed beam of incident light from that of theimmediately adjacent louver. It is preferred to further that the lightreflective surfaces of each louver are operative to increase the widthof the main specular re-directed beam of incident light by at least saidpredetermined angular deviation. It is more predetermined that theangular deviation from an upper louver to a lower louver in the array isat least about 1 degree. It is additionally predetermined that theangular deviation is at least is at least about 2 degrees. It is mostpreferred that the predetermined that the predetermined angulardeviation is at least about 4 degrees. In another aspect it is generallypreferred that the light reflective surfaces of each louver areoperative to increase the width of a main specular re-directed beam ofincident light by at least the predetermined angular deviation thatoccurs between adjacent louvers. In another aspect it is more generallypreferred that the light reflective surfaces of each louver areoperative to increase the width of a main specular re-directed beam ofincident light by at least twice the predetermined angular deviationthat occurs between adjacent louvers.

FIG. 20-21B illustrate another variant of the invention in which thepatterned diffuser in FIG. 8B is applied to the exterior side of a lightre-directing optical film or sheet 2100 that is monolithic ormulti-layered (such as, without limitation, a UV cured resin layer witha texture on a monolithic substrate) and is applied to glazing surface15 with an optical adhesive 2030. Optical film or sheet 2100, which hasgrooves 2105 that provide TIR surfaces on face 2100 b′, is adhered toglazing 15 on interior surface 15 b′ with optical adhesive 2030. Theoptical film or sheet 2100 may have grooves spaced apart by less than0.5 mm, but more preferably less that about 0.25 mm to form a flexiblefilm, or about equal to or greater than about 0.5 mm to reduce columnarglare and be less flexible, having a greater total thickness generallyincreasing in proportion to an increased groove spacing. The spacedapart grooves can be multifaceted, curves or slightly offset in anglewith respect to adjacent groves in the film or sheet as disclosed in anyof the other embodiment to provide the desired spreading of the specularre-directed light beam to accommodate deviations of louver tilt in theassembly 1000. Such spreading of the specular redirected light beam willalso reduce columnar glare when the grooves are spaced apart by lessthan about 0.5 mm. Patterned elements 801′ are disposed on the side 2100b of the optical film 2100 that is opposite the grooves 2105. Asnon-limiting examples, each patterned element 801′ is optionally a 5mm×5 mm and the spacing is about 20-25 mm in both directions, as shownin the elevation view in FIG. 21B. The pattern is intended to avoid adistracting appearance of minor defects in manufacturing andinstallation, without precluding see-through visibility. Note that thepatterned elements 801′ can be diffuse as well as transmit light and areoptionally opaque or partially transparent and of any color. They canalso have various shapes, such as circles, squares, rectangle, discretepolygons, or lines, which can be continuous or dashed.

It has also been discovered with respect to the illustration of FIGS.21A and 21B that internal room ambiance can be improved when thepatterned element 801′ are provided to reduce contrast in directly litwork surfaces, where light leaks through the optical elements 2100 toproduce very bright area, so that the effect of daylighting produces amore pleasing generally diffuse light effect, but without overheadlights. These benefits are achieved over preferred configurations ofsuch elements 801′ that do not adversely impair see through visibilityfor interior room occupants and provide an internal attenuation ofincident light of about 10% to about 40%. Internal attenuation should beunderstood to mean the reduction in light transmission excluding theFresnel reflection losses of circa 4-5% that occur at the front and rearexternal surfaces of louver 600 or other light redirecting structure.Such attenuation levels are preferably achieved when elements 801′ areround dots disposed in columnar arrays with an offset of adjacentcolumns, such as in hexagonal array and having a diameter of betweenabout 0.5 to 3 mm, but more preferably about 1 to 2 mm. Such elements801′ are preferably opaque to avoid creating and enhancing columnarglare from residual transmission at curved edges, but can have sometransmission if they can be applied as a flat pattern. It has furtherbeen discovered that silk screen printing of such elements can providethe desirable flatness within the preferred size ranges of the printedelement 801′.

It has been discovered that the grey to black colored elements 801′least interfere with the ability of building inhabitants to see outsideat night, in contrast to white colored elements that overpower a darkbackground at night. The grey to black color of elements 801′ are alsopreferred as they do not change the external appearance of windowsduring the daytime.

Such partially transmissive elements 801′ when printed very thin with ablack ink composition have a grey appearance to internal viewers. Thisgrey appearance can also be achieved using grey inks and printing opaqueelements. As grey inks tend to be more transmissive and scattering thanblack inks, if grey inks are deployed, then elements 801′ should have anoptical density of at least about 1.3, but more preferably at least 1.5,and most preferably at least about 2.0. The most preferred embodiment ofthe elements appear grey to the internal and external viewer but areopaque without any transmissive scatter.

In such hexagonal arrays of elements 801′ it is anticipated that thepreferred round dots are spaced apart by about 1-10 mm, but morepreferably about 2-8 mm, and most preferably about 3-7 mm. Non-limitingexamples of such arrays are illustrated in elevation view in FIGS. 26Band 26C.

It should be appreciated that the optical elements 801′ can also beapplied regular and irregular patterns or flows, and provide the desireddegree of attenuation with constant array dimensions or constant featuresize.

Preferably, the optical elements 801′ are opaque, with no transmissivescatter component. The scatter is undesirable as it increases glare inthe window. We have found that inkjet printing optical element 801′ isnot optimal as the droplets form lenslets which scatter. Inkjet depositof optical elements also suffers from low throughput, is high in costand can also cause deleterious heating of the optical film 2100. Hence,optical elements 801′ are preferably deposited on the optical film 2100or glazing 15 by screen printing using UV-cured inks, as this results inthe outstanding quality level ink deposit which is key to minimizingscatter (both transmissive and reflective) yet at high productionthroughput speeds. Further, screen printing can achieve the desiredresults in one printing step, as opposed to multiple passes/colors.

FIG. 25A shows elements 801′ applied to the portion of the lightre-directing film 2100 having the grooves 2105, with optical adhesive2030 attaching the optical film 2100 to the interior surface 15 b′ ofthe glazing 15.

FIG. 25B shows elements 801′ applied to the portion of the glazing 15 oninterior surface 15 b′. The optical adhesive 2030 is applied over theelements 801′ and the intervening portion of the glazing interiorsurface 15 b′ for attaching the optical film 2100 to the interiorsurface 15 b′ of the glazing 15.

FIG. 26A shows the use of adhesive dots as opaque or high opticaldensity optical elements 801′. The elements 801′ are an adhesivematerial that both attaches the film 2100 to the interior surface 15 b′of the glazing 15, performing the function of the optical adhesive 2030in other embodiments. It should also be noted that as these adhesiveoptical elements 801′ are disposed on the side of the grooves 2105 thatprovide TIR surfaces on face 2100 b′

It should be appreciated that the embodiment of FIGS. 25A, B and 26Aenclose the optical elements 801′ between the glazing 15 and the film2100, to prevent optical elements 801′ from being damaged or worn off inwindow cleaning or other potential source of contact or abrasion to thewindow interior.

It should also be appreciated that any of the embodiments of FIG. 20-21Band FIG. 25A-26C can cover a portion of a plano glazing surface ofwindow, or form louvers or slats 600.

FIGS. 22, 23A and 23B illustrate an alternative method of forming theoptical elements 110 of an embodiment in which only a portion 1302 ofthe TIR surface 110 a′ is planar, such as generally described in FIG. 13in which regions 1301 and 1301′ deviate from the planarity of anintervening portion 1302.

FIG. 22 shows an optical sheet 1400 in a plan view after printing apredetermined pattern of narrow diagonal stripes 2202 on an uppersurface. The diagonal bias is with respect to the direction of cuts(shown by broken lines 2201) that are made to form the elongated opticalelements 110. The optical sheet 1400 is intended to be formed into aplurality of the optical elements 110 shown stacked in FIGS. 23A and23B.

The diagonal stripes 2202 can be made of a resin, such as a UV curablefluid, as well as paint or resin having fillers that is optimized toform a spacer 1601 between the assembled optical elements 110 shown inFIGS. 23A and 23B. Each spacer 1601 then also contributes to the spreadof light from each slat 600 over the specular TIR reflection that occurson the intervening portion 1302 of surface 110 a′. Hence, the processdescribed with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 14A-C and 15A-B can bedeployed to form a patterned region of stripes 2202 having the desiredwaviness in either 2 or 3 dimensions. Alternatively, the paint orcurable fluid used to form stripes 2202 can be a commercial transparentnon-gloss or semi gloss finish that scatters incident light. In thiscase, when the resulting optical elements 110 are stacked and attachedto a common substrate such as 120′ (optionally with adhesive layer 130′)to form a slat 600 in FIG. 23B, TIR would still occur on thenon-contacting portion 1302 between regions 1601. TIR would also occuron some portion of the striped regions 2022 that do not contact theadjacent optical element 110.

Alternatively, substrate 1400 is coated in the stripped portion 2202with a paint, resin or curable fluid 1501 having dispersed fillerparticles 1502 (as previously described with respect to FIG. 15B) thatare comparable in size to the thickness of the fluid to form a wavysurface pattern. However, the pattern will not need to be periodic aslong as the mean repeat distance is much smaller than the width of theTIR surface 110 a′ and the surface slope is between about 1-4° as theanticipated benefit of spreading light from each slat 600 should beachieved. When the objective of the filler particles 1502 are simply toform the wavy surface pattern it may be preferable that they aretransparent and non-scattering internally, as well as at the interfacewith the cured coating, by having the same index of refraction. However,it is also possible to use the filler 1502 to create a diffusingportion, in which case the filler should be one of internally scatteringand having a different refractive index than the resin 1501. It is alsopossible to provide the desired spreading of the redirected light by anycombination of the wavy surface with diffusion from the particles 1502.The portions 2202 can be applied in other patterns than stripes, such asirregular or regular patterns, including continuous and discontinuouslines, dots, rectangle and polygons by screen printing as well as othermethods of depositing paints, resins and curable fluids. It should beappreciated that the wavy surface pattern also serves to separateoptical elements 110 when stacked to provide spaces apart TIR surface.

FIG. 23A is intended to illustrate a close spacing of stripes 2202 thatform 2 spacers 1601 in each cross-section of the optical elements 110′and 110. In contrast, FIG. 23B is intended to illustrate the oppositeprinciples in which the spacers 1601 are more widely separated so eachcross-section has only one spacer 1601, but the spacer is optionallymore highly diffusing of incident ray 10 either from a greater variationin surface curvature on the wavy portion where TIR occurs, or fromscatter within the spacer 1601 before and after TIR on the wavy portion.Highly scattering finishes can be applied as relatively narrow stripeswith respect to the width of surfaces 110 a and 110 a′ to providesufficient spreading of the otherwise collimated specular reflection offportions 1302.

The higher the diffusing power of these spacers 1601 formed by stripes2202, the lower total proportion of surface region 110 a′ they need tooccupy. In either case, as the spacer 1601 is a small percentage of thetotal thickness of surface 110 b, the diffusion therein and the angularspread of the TIR beam at surface 110 a′ will not affect see throughvisibility.

The bias angle, width and spacing of the stripes 2202 can provide atleast 2 such spacers per optical surface 110 a′ to provide sufficientspreading of the otherwise highly collimated reflection from the TIRsurface 110 a′. However, this will depend on the level of lightspreading or diffusion provided by the spaced regions 1601. The bias ofthe stripes with respect to the placement of the cuts 2201 for formingthe elongated optical elements 110 is also selected to providesufficient spacers 1601 per optical element 110 so that the faces 110 a′are generally parallel and the louvers or slats 600 are generallyrectangular with orthogonal adjacent sides when the optical elements 110are stacked for assembly to faces 120 and 120′.

FIG. 24 illustrates rays tracing in a plan view in slats 600 of FIGS.23A and 23B at a high azimuthal angle (ψ) of incidence of ray 10 onglazing surface 15 the optical element 110, when the sun elevation isdecreased. The optical element 110 has a specular reflective portion1302 of the lower surface 110 a′ and the more diffusing spacers 1601,shown in elevation in FIGS. 23A and 23B. The rays 10 that are incidenton portions 1302 are reflected and exit the element 110 as parallelsrays 12. In contrast, rays 10 that enter spacer 1601 have a mainreflected beam 12′ shown as a broken line, but also a wider beam thatresults from scattering and/or TIR off slightly tilted surface, shown asthe narrower broken lines on both sides of the ray 12′. FIGS. 23A and23B show how the beam 12′ has spread in the upward and downwarddirection, whereas FIG. 24 shows beam 12′ also spreading in the lateraldirection along the length of the optical element 110. Hence, either awavy surface pattern or diffusion by light scattering in the spacers1601 can also spread the light laterally along the slat 600 so that anyrecurring or periodic placement of the stripes 2202 within each opticalelement 110 of slat 600 does not form a discrete sub-patterns as thelight is reflected toward the ceiling or a distant wall.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A louver, comprising: a) a generally rectangular planarsupport member having; b) an upper surface and a lower surface oppositethe upper surface, c) an elongated front side on a side orthogonal tothe plane of the upper surface, and an elongated back side opposed toand parallel with the front side, d) a right side on another side thatis orthogonal to both the upper surface and the front side, and a leftside opposite the right side that is parallel to the right side, e) alight redirecting structure that is at least one of attached to anddisposed within the planar support member, the light redirectingstructure comprising an array of spaced apart light reflective surfacesthat terminate at corners, wherein the array extends across the planarsupport member from the front side to the back side in which each lightreflective surface faces the front or back side, further comprising apattern of light attenuating elements disposed on one of the uppersurface and the lower surface to provide an internal attenuation ofincident light of about 10% to about 40% and a further comprising apattern of light attenuating elements disposed on one of the uppersurface and the lower surface wherein the light attenuating elements areround dots disposed in columnar arrays with an offset of adjacentcolumns.
 2. A louver, comprising: a) a generally rectangular planarsupport member having, b) an upper surface and a lower surface oppositethe upper surface, c) an elongated front side on a side orthogonal tothe plane of the upper surface, and an elongated back side opposed toand parallel with the front side, d) a right side on another side thatis orthogonal to both the upper surface and the front side, and a leftside opposite the right side that is parallel to the right side, e) alight redirecting structure that is at least one of attached to anddisposed within the planar support member, the light redirectingstructure comprising an array of spaced apart light reflective surfacesthat terminate at corners, wherein the array extends across the planarsupport member from the front side to the back side in which each lightreflective surface faces the front or back side, further comprising apattern of light attenuating elements disposed on one of the uppersurface and the lower surface to provide an internal attenuation ofincident light of about 10% to about 40% and a pattern of lightattenuating elements disposed on one of the upper surface and the lowersurface wherein the light attenuating elements have a grey appearance.3. A light re-directing louver assembly comprising a plurality oflouvers that are operatively coupled to be tilted, each louvercomprising: a) a generally rectangular planar support member having; i)an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, ii) anelongated front side on a side orthogonal to the plane of the uppersurface, and an elongated back side opposed to and parallel with thefront side, iii) a right side on another side that is orthogonal to boththe upper surface and the front side, and a left side opposite the frontside that is parallel to the right side, iv) a light redirectingstructure that is at least one of attached to and disposed within theplanar support member, the light redirecting structure comprising aplurality of spaced apart light reflective surfaces that terminate atcorners, wherein the light reflecting surface thereof extend across theplanar support member from the front side to the back side in which eachlight reflective surface faces the front or back side, b) wherein eachlouver is operative to provide a predetermined angular deviation of amain specular re-directed beam of incident light from that of theimmediately adjacent louver, wherein said predetermined angulardeviation between an upper and lower louver in the array is at leastabout 1 degree.
 4. The light re-directing louver assembly of claim 3wherein said predetermined angular deviation between an upper and lowerlouver in the array is at least about 2 degrees.
 5. The lightre-directing louver assembly of claim 3 wherein said predeterminedangular deviation between an upper and lower louver in the array is atleast about 4 degrees.
 6. The light re-directing louver assembly ofclaim 3 wherein the light reflective surfaces of each louver areoperative to increase the width of a main specular re-directed beam ofincident light by at least twice the predetermined angular deviation.